A CIRENCESTER coffee shop is one of only seven in the country to be awarded the prestigious 5-Cup accreditation this year.

Cotswold Artisan Coffee in Bishops Walk was given the accolade by the Beverage Standards Association ahead of their 2014 awards.

The awards are decided based on quality of the drinks, knowledge, atmosphere, cleanliness and customer service.

Husband and wife team Barry and Mandy Cook opened Cotswold Artisan Coffee in Bishops Walk 14 months ago but were unable to enter the 2013 competition as their shop was being refitted during the judging period.

Mandy said:" We are massively proud, especially as our business in Bishops Walk was only opened 14 months. Our customers are hugely supportive and moving here from a former shop in Swindon has given us a great feeling of achievement".

She added:" We have found Cirencester to be a superb place to work, where going the extra mile receives wonderful customer feedback which we always appreciate".

Barry said: “Some of the others we’re up against are people we’ve known for a long time and people we looked to before.

“It has been a real whirlwind period, being that we’ve also been included in a new South West Coffee Guide, in which the top fifty coffee shops in the area were selected by a committee including the current UK Barista Champion. We are very proud".

The cafe is up for four awards as well as its 5-Cup status including best newcomer, best espresso, best filter coffee and best hot chocolate.

The pair will head to Manchester on November 10 for the awards ceremony, returning with their 5-Cup accreditation and any other awards they win on the night.